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Ecocomposite Materials

Abstract

Ecocomposites combine natural fibers and natural or synthetic matrix materials. Ecocomposites can be very strong and selections can be made for ultimate strength, elastic modulus, fracture resistance, impact resistance or ease of recovery, reuse, repurposing, or return to nature. Ecocomposites tend to be environmentally friendly and less hazardous to human health. They are also less dangerous or harmful in aquatic or terrestrial ecosystems. The ideal ecocomposite material will be made of all-natural materials, often wastes like rice straw, that are non-toxic, fully biodegradable and renewable. Ideally, the ecocomposite materials will be made with natural fibers and bio-based matrix materials, where the fibers remain identifiable in the matrix material and can be recycled or returned to nature at the end of their useful life.

Keywords

Ecocomposite, biocomposite, natural fibers, plant fibers, wood fiber, spider silk, linen, coir, matrix materials, engineering, material science, rice straw, wheat straw, bamboo, rushes, sedges, coir, burlap, resin, cashew nut resin, reinforcement, chitin, macadamia, biomimicry, biomimetics, agricultural waste, paper, paper based technology, plant biomechanics, clay, mud, lime, plasters, building blocks, bioblocks, leichtlembau, light straw clay, wood fiber cement, shellac, lacquer, macromolecular, Durisol, Faswall, Easiwall, pozzolana, industrial ecology. 

Bainbridge, D. A. 2001. Ecocomposites. PPT

Bainbridge, D. A. 2007. Ecocomposites: from the sustainable past to a sustainable future (draft) Associate Professor, Sustainable Management, Marshall Goldsmith School of Management. Alliant International University

Bainbridge, D. A. 2005. Ecocomposites. The Last Straw: The International Journal of Straw Bale and Natural Building 52:22-23.

Bainbridge, D. A. 2005. Houses of straw. Resource Engineering and Technology for a Sustainable World. 12(4):7-8. (and cover photo)

Bainbridge, D. A. 2001 [1994]. Ecocomposites. www.ecocomposites.org

Bainbridge, D. A. 2001. Ecocomposites. Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Ecological Building Structure. San Rafael, CA July 2001. Ecological Building Network. 16 p. (chapter)

Bainbridge, D. A. with D. Eisenberg, T. Zink and L. Bayless. 1996. Alternatives to Rice Straw Burning. Cal Poly SLO for Air Resources Board, SLO. 85 p. + appendices.

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